Chen Kaige’s "Assassin" Picked Up By SPC

Chen Kaige's "Assassin" Picked Up By SPC

Even though his 30 million dollar project (entitled "Assassin") is still in production,filmmaker Chen Kaige ("Farewell My Concubine", "Temptress Moon") has sold the rights (in the US and other English speaking countries) to SonyPictures Classics. Details of the deal were not released but negotiatorMichael Barker is pleased with the early-to-buy move on the part of SPC."We are excited to be working with talented director Chen Kaige… Andwe are especially thrilled to have come into this epic project at suchan early stage."

The film is set in feudal China in the 2nd Century and stars Gong Li("Raise the Red Lantern", "To Live") as a king’s concubine who is sent tospy on another king and hire an assassin to kill him. No release datehas been set.